What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition that occurs when uterine tissue grows in areas it’s not supposed to. Your uterus is where a baby develops during pregnancy, and it’s lined with endometrium, or uterine tissue. Patches of uterine tissue, or implants, outside of the uterus might appear:
- Behind the uterus
- On your ovaries
- Under the ovaries
- On fallopian tubes
- On your bladder or bowels
- On areas that secure the uterus in place
The cause of endometriosis isn’t entirely understood.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
You may not experience symptoms at all with endometriosis but it you do, you may notice:
- Pelvic pain
- Infertility
- Pain with intercourse
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Fatigue
- Heavy periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain with urination or bowel movements
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
Everybody is different, but pelvic pain and infertility are the most common symptoms of endometriosis. The gynecologists at Beach Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Group run a series of tests to determine if you have endometriosis.
What are the risk factors for endometriosis?
Anybody can develop endometriosis, but the following factors are associated with this gynecological condition:
- Being in your 30s or 40s
- Family history of endometriosis
- Starting your menstrual cycle before age 11
- Having heavy menstrual periods lasting more than 7 days
- Having short menstrual cycles lasting less than 27 days
- Experiencing menopause at an older age
Your chance of developing endometriosis is lower if you’ve had a past pregnancy, have a low body fat percentage and exercise more than four hours weekly, or if your menstrual cycle started later in adolescence.
What is the treatment for endometriosis?
After completing a pelvic exam, your doctor uses ultrasound, laparoscopy, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or combinations of these tests to diagnose endometriosis. They work with you to develop a customized treatment plan that best matches your needs, which may include:
Medications
Your doctor might recommend taking over-the-counter or prescription medications to ease pain associated with endometriosis.
Hormone therapy
Altering hormone levels within your body using contraceptives or other forms of hormone therapy may reduce endometriosis pain, slow endometrial tissue growth, or prevent new tissue growth.
Laparoscopic surgery
Your gynecologist performs innovative laparoscopic surgery to remove implants associated with endometriosis. They insert a laparoscope, or tiny viewing instrument, through a small incision and use special tools to remove endometrial tissue.
Fertility treatment
If you suffer from infertility caused by endometriosis, your doctor develops a custom treatment plan to increase your chances of becoming pregnant or refers you to a qualified infertility specialist in the area.
Don’t let endometriosis reduce your quality of life or prevent you from starting a family. Call Beach Obstetrics and Gynecology Medical Group to learn more about your treatment options or use the online booking tool.
